Letter page end indicating device



P. J. A. VAN DEINSE LETTER PAGE END INDICATING DEVICE I Nov. 23, 1943.

Filed Aug. 5, 1941 Pa el/era 'c/A Vazzfiezkse.

Patented Nov. 23, 1943 LETTER PAGE END INDICATING DEVICE Paulus Johannes Adrianus van Deinse, Fillmore, Calif.

Application August 5, 1941, Serial No. 405,556

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in typewriter sheets.

More specifically, the invention relates to typewriter sheets having marks thereon for visually indicating to an operator the approach of, as Well as the distance to the bottom of the sheet, the top of the lower margin, or any other predetermined horizontal line (real or imaginary), from a given line of typing;

A neat letter, manuscript or other typewritten page should present a relatively wide lower margin, which should preferably be uniform in several sheets of any one written subject but which may be varied in the case of matter requiring a fraction of a second sheet in order that the printed sheets may be better balanced and thereby present a neater appearance.

As, is well known, the lower end of a sheet is concealed when in typing position beneath the usual platen and scale bar; and while an experienced typist may have a fairly accurate idea as to what portion of a letter, manuscript or the like can be typed on one sheet of given size and as to whether it will be necessary to use a second sheet in order to leave a proper lower margin on the first sheet, nevertheless, typists frequently experience the completion of a typed page whereon there is not sufiicient margin for the complimentary close and the signature; and, of course, the use of a second sheet for the complimentary close and signature presents a very undesirable arrangement.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide, an improved. typewriter sheet whereby a typist is apprized of the approach of the lower end of the sheet as well as the distance to such lower end, thereby enabling her to leave a sufficient lower margin and in the event of the necessity of a second sheet have suiiicient typing thereon to provide a satisfactory arrangement of the typed matter.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a typewriter sheet having a mark in the form of lines printed thereon adjacent the lower end thereof, with such lines converging toward a vertex in or near the lower end of the sheet, and the angle defined by the lines being such that the distance between any two horizontally alined points on the lines as measured by a line of typing is equal to the vertical distance from such points or line to such vertex and thus to the lower edge of the sheet or the top of the lower margin or other predetermined hori zontal line.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a typewriter sheet having an attractive figure printed thereon and in a relatively restricted area thereof which functions to visually indicate the approach of the lower end of the sheet when being typed after a substantial portion of the sheet has been typed as well as providing an identification means.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference will be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sheet of typewriter paper embodying the present in vention in a preferred embodiment thereof.

Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive are similar views on a reduced scale and each depicting a modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, and first to Fig. 1 thereof, the indicating mark includes a pair of downwardly converging lines L whose upper and lower ends are preferably, though not necessarily, horizontally alined, with the lower ends spaced above the lower edge of the sheet S a distance preferably equal to the desired lower margin on the typewriter sheet.

While such lower ends of the lines terminate above the lower edge of the sheet, they are so arranged that if extended they would meet at a point 1) in the lower edge of the sheet, which point forms the vertex of an imaginary triangle of which the lines L form the major portions of the sides thereof and the angle between the lines is such that the imaginary base I) of the triangle is equal in length to the altitude a. This being true, it is obvious that the length of any horizontal lines of typing intercepted by the lines L will be equal to the distance from such intercepted line to the lower edge of the sheet.

The lines L will of course be very fine, so as not to obscure the typing in any way; and they may be printed in any suitable color as may be desired by any particular purchaser of the improved sheets.

In the use of the improved sheet having the lines L printed thereon as disclosed, the upper ends of the lines will first appear above the usual horizontally extending scale bar which coacts with the typewriter platen in feeding the sheet; and upon observing them the typist will understand that the distance to the lower edge of the sheet (which at this time is concealed from view) is equal to the horizontal distance between such ends of the lines as appear above the scale bar or to the length of an intercepted line of typing. Furthermore, the horizontal length of each succeeding line of typing intercepted by the lines L will also be an accurate measure of the distance to the lower edge of the sheet; and upon the lower ends of the lines coming into view above the platen, the typist will be apprized of the fact that the distance remaining to the lower edge is equal to the distance between such lower ends of the lines, the lower ends however in most circumstances indicating the top o the lower margin of the typewritten sheet.

The length of any intercepted portion of a line of typing can of course be measured with sufficient accuracy by the eye of w an experienced typist whereby to ascertain the number of sucseeding lines she can yet write without too closely approaching the lower edge of the sheet, she knowing that there is a definite number of characters and/or spaces per inch for a given style of type and that there is a certain number of lines per inch. She may, however, measure with greater accuracy by counting the number of characters and spaces in the intercepted portion of the line of typing. Or, alternatively, she may count the number of strokes on the space bar necessary to bridge the gap.

The modified embodiment according to Fig. 2 also comprises a pair of lines L on the sheet S which upon being extended would meet in the vertex v at the lower edge of the sheet; and as in the first embodiment the altitude a is equal to the base I) of the imaginary triangle.

This form however includes a pair of shorter lines Z defining in conjunction with the lines L a pair of small imaginary triangles similar to the large imaginary triangle, but the vertices of the smaller triangles are at the lower ends of the lines L and the altitudes a of these smaller triangles are equal to their imaginary bases b. Thus these shorter lines Z provide an indicator of the near approach of the lower ends of the lines L and the top of the lower margin for the typewritten sheet, and further provide a measure of the intervening distance. The latter, however, is less important than the former; and the altitude a need not necessarily be equal to the imaginary base I). If desired, one of the shorter lines Z may be omitted. Also, asterisks s may be positioned at the vertices of the smaller triangles, to refer to a footnote giving the number of the patent, as well as to render the design more ornamental and distinctive. i

The embodiment according to Fig. 3 is quite similar to that of Fig. 2 but includes short horizontal lines h at the upper ends of the lines L, a short horizontal line 9' joining the upper ends of the lines Z and short horizontal lines 1' at the lower ends of the lines I and L. These short horizontal lines are for the purpose of making the upper and lower ends of the lines Z and L more noticeable upon coming into view above the platen.

The embodiment according to Fig. 4 is similar to that of Fig. 1 and is included to emphasize the fact that the lines L need not of necessity be solid or straight, but they may be zigzag, wavy, formed of spaced short lines in alinement, vertically or horizontally disposed, or the lines L may be dotted. Furthermore, the upper and lower ends of the lines L may be out of horizontal alinement as indicated in Fig. 4.

The essential prerequisite of the lines L is that they be, as a whole, straight, or sufficiently so. and that they converge downwardly toward a predetermined point in or near the lower ed of the sheet regardless of the particular character of the lines themselves.

While it is preferable to have the lines L at equal angles to the altitude a of the imaginary triangle, they may be different angles. In fact, one of the lines may be parallel with the altitude as in the embodiment of Fig. 5, and either or both ends of the lines may be out of horizontal alinement as in Fig. 4. The lines L are shown in this figure as of dash construction, they may however be solid or of any other desired character.

According to the embodiment of Fig. 6 the sheet S is provided with a complete triangle, with the vertex v in the imaginary horizontal line forming the top of the lower margin, and the entire design is printed in some suitable color, shade or tint sufiiciently contrasting with that of the body of the sheet S.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the portion of any horizontal line of typing intercepted by the converging lines L is equal to the vertical distance from such horizontal line to the top of the lower margin. In all of the other figures it is equal to the vertical distance to the bottom of the sheet. but in all figures it is equal to the vertical distance to the verex 1). Knowing the depth of the margin in Fig. 6, the typist knows the distance to the bottom of the sheet as well.

While I have disclosed several modified embodiments of the indicating mark, it will be observed that the essential feature is common to all of them, namely, that the length of any horizontal line of typing intercepted by the downwardly converging lines L is equal to the vertical distance between such intercepted line and the vertex of the converging lines upon extension thereof toward the lower edge of the sheet;

Where it is essential for the typist to know exactly how much more space is available. the distance between any two horizontally alined points on the converging lines L must be exactly equal to the vertical distance between them and the point where the converging lines L would or do meet; also, the vertex must lie within the sheet. Where the typist is less particular, however, it is sufficient if the horizontal and vertical measurements mentioned are nearly enough equal to meet her requirements as to accuracy; also, the Vertex need not necessarily fall within the sheet. 7

While the lines or designs may conveniently be printed, they may, however, be formed by any other suitable means. I

Furthermore, it is to be particularly noted that the markings on the typewriter sheet while per-. forming the functions as above described are continued to a relatively restricted area of the sheet and as shown are preferably disposed in the lower half and between the opposed vertical edges thereof. The markings as thus restricted perform their gauging function while at the same time avoid the use of unnecessary lines extending throughout the length of the sheet.

The specific embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are to be considered as illustrative only, and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined in the sub-joined claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. A typewriter sheet having a pair of indicating lines on the lower portion and between the side edges thereof, said lines converging toward a point adjacent the lower edge of the sheet and adapted to coact with the upper edge of the usual typewriter scale bar for indicating the distance to said lower edge in the typing of successive lines after said indicating lines have appeared above said scale bar, the angle of convergency of said indicating lines being such that the distance between any two horizontally aligned points thereon immediately above the scale bar is approximately equal to the vertical distance between such points and said convergence point.

2. A typewriter sheet having means thereon for indicating the line space remaining after the sheet is substantially typed, comprising a pair of divergently disposed lines of indicating markings arranged thereon in a figure adapted to coact with a typewriter part which extends transversely across the sheet when writing thereon, said lines intersecting at a point adjacent the lower edge of the sheet and extending upwardly therefrom for an extent equal to the maximum transverse distance between said lines and at a point materially spaced from both ends of the sheet, and the angle defined by said lines being such that th width of the figure at any intermediate position traversed by said typewriter part is equal to the vertical distance from said position to the lower edge of the sheet.

3. As an article of manufacture, a sheet of typewriting paper having in the bottom portion and intermediate the edges thereof means to coact with a horizontally extending part of a typewriter for accurately indicating the usable space remaining on the sheet after it has been substantially typed, comprising a figure formed thereon by at least two lines diverging upwardly from the bottom marginal portion thereof, the space between any two substantially horizontal points on said lines as viewed above said typewriter part being equal to the space remaining between said points and the bottom of the sheet below said part.

4. A typewriter sheet having line space indicating means on the lower half portion thereof and intermediate the side edges thereof, said indicating means comprising a pair of upwardly diverging lines which upon being extended intersect in a point in the lower margin of the sheet, the angle of convergency of the lines being such that the length of any horizontal line intersected by said diverging lines is equal to the vertical distance between said horizontal line and said point.

5. A typewriter sheet having indicating lines thereon converging toward a point adjacent the lower edge of the sheet, the angle of convergency of the lines being such that the distance between any two horizontally alined points thereon is approximately equal to the vertical distance between such points and said convergence point.

6. A typewriter sheet having a pair of downwardly converging indicating lines thereon, the lines being so angularly related and so positioned with respect to a point adjacent the lower edge of the sheet that the length of any horizontal line intercepted by said converging lines is substantially equal to the vertical distance between the horizontal line and said point.

7. A typewriter sheet having a pair of downwardly converging indicating lines thereon, the lower ends of the lines terminating in horizontal alinement and in spaced relation to the lower edge of the sheet, the lines forming portions of the sides of an imaginary triangle having its vertex at the lower edge of the sheet and its altitude substantially equal to its base.

8. A typewriter sheet having a pair of down wardly converging indicating lines thereon, the lines being so angularly related and so positioned with respect to the lower edge of the sheet that the length of any horizontal line intercepted by said converging lines is equal to the vertical distanc between the horizontal line and said edge.

PAULUS J. A. VAN DEINSE. 

